The leader of the Shi’ite Islamic group in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-zakzaky, has been arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Zaria Road, Kaduna and charged with criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.
El-zakzaky who was arraigned alongside some followers by the police, was however remanded in prison custody.
It could not be confirmed if the plea of the accused was taken or if they had legal representation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, told our correspondent on Tuesday that the Shi’ite leader was being prosecuted for incitement and public disturbances among other charges.
She said, “The Shi’ite leader has been arraigned in court where he was charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbances among others; he has been remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned.”
The Shi’ite members had had a clash with the Army about two weeks ago during which about 20 persons were killed.
El-zakzaky was subsequently taken into custody by the Army before he was released to the police for investigation.
The Army had accused the Shi’ite group of attempting to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, but the Islamic movement said the soldiers simply attacked “defenseless people.”
Following the bloody clash, armoured tanks were said to have demolished the Hussainiyya shrine and the residence of the leader of the sect in Zaria.
